Display device and electronic apparatus incorporating the same

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a camera, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, a liquid crystal panel, and a controller controlling the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes a first region and a second region. The controller controls a first opening mode of transmitting light through the first region and the second region, and a second opening mode of making a quantity of light transmitted through the first region smaller than a quantity of light transmitted through the second region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2019/020783, filed May 24, 2019 and based upon and claiming thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-123159,filed Jun. 28, 2018, the entire contents all of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display device, anelectronic apparatus incorporating the same, and a program.

BACKGROUND

Recently, electronic apparatuses such as a smartphone comprising adisplay portion and a camera on the same surface side have been widelyput into practical use. In such an electronic apparatus, the camera isprovided outside the display portion. Demands to reduce an outer framewidth of the display portion while maintaining a space to install thecamera have been increased.

In addition, capturing sharp pictures is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration exampleof a display device DSP according to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including the display device DSP and acamera 1 shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the liquidcrystal panel PNL shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal element LCDincluding a first pixel PX1 shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal element LCDincluding a second pixel PX2 shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of controllingthe liquid crystal panel PNL.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the liquidcrystal element LCD overlaid on a camera 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a control example of the liquid crystalelement LCD shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD of the embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another configuration example of theliquid crystal element LCD overlaid on the camera 1.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element LCDshown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a control example of the liquid crystalelement LCD shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing another control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing display examples of patterns displayedoutside the camera 1 in the liquid crystal element LCD of theembodiments.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD of the embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of the display device DSPaccording to the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided an electronicapparatus comprising: a camera; a first polarizer; a second polarizer; aliquid crystal panel located between the first polarizer and the secondpolarizer; and a controller controlling the liquid crystal panel, theliquid crystal panel including first and second regions overlaid on thecamera, the controller controlling a first opening mode of transmittinglight through the first region and the second region, and a secondopening mode of making a quantity of light through the first regionsmaller than a quantity of light transmitted through the second region.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a display devicearranged in front of a camera, comprising: a first polarizer; a secondpolarizer; and a liquid crystal panel located between the firstpolarizer and the second polarizer, the liquid crystal panel including afirst region and a second region which are overlaid on the camera,transmitting light through the first region and the second region in afirst opening mode, and making a quantity of the light transmittedthrough in the first region smaller than a quantity of the lighttransmitted through the second region in a second opening mode.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a program urging acomputer controlling a camera and liquid crystal element including afirst region and a second region which are overlaid on the camera toimplement a first opening mode of transmitting light through the firstregion and the second region and a second opening mode of making aquantity of the light transmitted through the first region smaller thana quantity of the light transmitted through the second region.

Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and properchanges in keeping with the spirit of the invention, which are easilyconceivable by a person of ordinary skill in the art, come within thescope of the invention as a matter of course. In addition, in somecases, in order to make the description clearer, the widths,thicknesses, shapes, and the like of the respective parts areillustrated schematically in the drawings, rather than as an accuraterepresentation of what is implemented, but such schematic illustrationis merely exemplary, and in no way restricts the interpretation of theinvention. In addition, in the specification and drawings, the sameelements as those described in connection with preceding drawings aredenoted by like reference numbers, and detailed description thereof isomitted unless necessary.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration exampleof a display device DSP according to the embodiments. For example, thefirst direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z areorthogonal to each other but may intersect at an angle other than 90degrees. The first direction X and the second direction Y correspond tothe directions parallel to a main surface of a substrate whichconstitutes the display device DSP, and the third direction Zcorresponds to the thickness direction of the display device DSP.

The display device DSP comprises a first polarizer PL1, a secondpolarizer PL2, a liquid crystal panel PNL, optical sheets OS, a lightguide LG, light sources EM, and a reflective sheet RS. The reflectivesheet RS, the light guide LG, the optical sheets OS, the first polarizerPL1, the liquid crystal panel PNL, and the second polarizer PL2 arearranged in this order in the third direction Z. A plurality of lightsources EM are spaced apart and arranged in the first direction X. Atleast the light sources EM and the light guide LG constitute a planarlight source ALS that illuminates the liquid crystal panel PNL. Theplanar light source ALS may further include the optical sheets OS andthe reflective sheet RS. The first polarizer PL1, the second polarizerPL2, and the liquid crystal panel PNL constitute a liquid crystalelement LCD comprising an optical switch function for the lighttraveling in the third direction Z. Such a liquid crystal element LCDexerts a function of transmitting or blocking the light in each regionin the X-Y plane defined by the first direction X and the seconddirection Y.

An electronic apparatus 100 incorporating such a display device DSPcomprises a camera 1.

The liquid crystal panel PNL is formed in a flat plate shape parallel tothe X-Y plane. The liquid crystal panel PNL is located between the firstpolarizer PL1 and the second polarizer PL2. The liquid crystal panel PNLcomprises a display portion DA which displays an image and a non-displayportion NDA in a frame shape surrounding the display portion DA. In theembodiments, the liquid crystal panel PNL is overlaid on the camera 1 inthe third direction Z and, particularly, the display portion DA isoverlaid on the camera 1. Descriptions of a detailed structure of theliquid crystal panel PNL are omitted here. However, the liquid crystalpanel PNL may comprise any one of configurations corresponding to adisplay mode using a lateral electric field along the main surface ofthe substrate, a display mode using a longitudinal electric field alongthe normal of the main surface of the substrate, a display mode using aninclined electric field which is tilted obliquely with respect to themain surface of the substrate, and a display mode using an appropriatecombination of the above lateral electric field, longitudinal electricfield, and inclined electric field. The main surface of the substrate isa surface parallel to the X-Y plane.

The first polarizer PL1 and the second polarizer PL2 are overlaid on atleast the display portion DA with respect to the liquid crystal panelPNL. In addition, the first polarizer PL1 and the second polarizer PL2are overlaid on the camera 1 in the third direction Z.

The light guide LG has a first side surface SA opposed to the lightsources EM, a second side surface SB on a side opposite to the firstside surface SA, a main surface SC opposed to the liquid crystal panelPNL, a main surface SD on a side opposite to the main surface SC, and afirst through hole TH1. The first through hole TH1 is located betweenthe first side surface SA and the second side surface SB in the seconddirection Y and is closer to the second side surface SB than to thefirst side surface SA. The camera 1 is overlaid on the first throughhole TH1 in the third direction Z.

A plurality of optical sheets OS are located between the light guide LGand the liquid crystal panel PNL and is opposed to the main surface SC.Each of the optical sheets OS has a second through hole TH2 overlaid onthe first through hole TH1. The optical sheets OS are, for example,prism sheets or diffusion sheets.

The reflective sheet RS is opposed to the main surface SD. That is, thelight guide LG is located between the reflective sheet RS and theoptical sheets OS. The reflective sheet RS has a third through hole TH3overlaid on the first through hole TH1. The third through hole TH3, thefirst through hole TH1, and the second through hole TH2 are arranged inthis order in the third direction Z and are provided in line. Forexample, the reflective sheet RS may be fixed to a frame formed of ametal. In this case, a through hole overlaid on the first through holeTH1 may also be provided in the frame.

For example, the light sources EM are light-emitting diodes (LED), whichemit white illumination light. The illumination light emitted from thelight sources EM is made incident from the first side surface SA totravel in a direction of an arrow indicative of the second direction Y.Then, the illumination light guided by the light guide LG is emittedfrom the main surface SC toward the liquid crystal panel PNL toilluminate the liquid crystal panel PNL. The liquid crystal panel PNL,the first polarizer PL1, and the second polarizer PL2 display an imageby allowing the illumination light to be selectively transmitted on thedisplay portion DA.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including the display device DSP and acamera 1 shown in FIG. 1 . The liquid crystal panel PNL comprises afirst substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a liquid crystal layerLC, and a sealant SE. The sealant SE is located in the non-displayportion NDA to bond the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrateSUB2 and to seal the liquid crystal layer LC.

Main parts of the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2will be simply described below. The first substrate SUB1 comprises afirst insulating substrate 10 and an alignment film AL1. The secondsubstrate SUB2 comprises a second insulating substrate 20, a colorfilter CF, a light-shielding layer BMA, a transparent layer OC, and analignment film AL2.

The first insulating substrate 10 and the second insulating substrate 20are transparent substrates such as glass substrates or flexible resinsubstrates. The alignment films AL1 and AL2 are in contact with theliquid crystal layer LC.

The color filter CF, the light-shielding layer BMA, and the transparentlayer OC are located between the second insulating substrate 20 and theliquid crystal layer LC.

The light-shielding layer BMA is located in the non-display portion NDA.A boundary B between the display portion DA and the non-display portionNDA corresponds to an inner side edge of the light-shielding layer BMA.The sealant SE is provided at a position overlaid on the light-shieldinglayer BMA.

Details of the color filter CF are omitted here. For example, however,the color filter CF comprises color filters of respective red, green,and blue colors. The transparent layer OC covers the color filter CF andthe light-shielding layer BMA. For example, the transparent layer OC isa transparent organic insulating film.

In the embodiments, the display portion DA has a region A1 where thecolor filter CF is arranged and a region A2 where the color filter CF isnot arranged. The transparent layer OC is arranged over the region A1and the region A2, is in contact with the color filter CF in the regionA1, and is in contact with the second insulating substrate 20 in theregion A2. When the relationship in position between the camera 1 andthe display portion DA is focused, the camera 1 is overlaid on theregion A2. That is, the color filter CF is not overlaid on the camera 1.

The first polarizer PL1 is bonded to the first insulating substrate 10.The second polarizer PL2 is bonded to the second insulating substrate20. The first polarizer PL1 and the second polarizer PL2 are arrangedover the region A1 and the region A2 and overlaid on the camera 1.Incidentally, the liquid crystal element LCD may comprise a retardationfilm, a scattering layer, an antireflective layer, and the like asneeded.

For example, an ultra-birefringent film can be included in the secondpolarizer PL2 or the first polarizer PL1. It is known that theultra-birefringent film makes the transmitted light non-polarized(change to natural light) when linearly polarized light is madeincident, and a subject can be captured without uncomfortable feelingeven if the subject includes an element which emits polarized light. Forexample, when the liquid crystal display device or the like is reflectedin a subject of the camera 1, the luminance of the liquid crystaldisplay device in the subject made incident on the camera 1 may bevaried due to a relationship in the first polarizer PL1, secondpolarizer PL2, and angle between the polarizer and the liquid crystaldisplay device which is the subject, and an uncomfortable feeling may bemade at imaging, since the linearly polarized light is emitted from theliquid crystal display device. However, the variation in the luminancethat causes the uncomfortable feeling can be suppressed by providing theultra-birefringent film in the second polarizer PL2 or the firstpolarizer PL1.

As a film exhibiting the ultra-birefringence, for example, COSMOSHINE(registered trademark) manufactured by TOYOBO CO., LTD., is preferablyused. The ultra-birefringence means in-plane retardation of higher thanor equal to 800 nm to light in the visible range, for example, 550 nm.

The first through hole TH1, the second through hole TH2, and the thirdthrough hole TH3 are overlaid on each other to form a space SP opened toa lower part of the liquid crystal panel PNL. The camera 1 is providedin the space SP formed by the first through hole TH1 and the like. Forexample, the camera 1 comprises an optical system 2 including at leastone lens, an image sensor (imaging device) 3, and a casing 4. The casing4 accommodates the optical system 2 and the image sensor 3. The opticalsystem 2 is located between the liquid crystal panel PNL and the imagesensor 3, and the camera 1 can receive light via the liquid crystalpanel PNL. The camera 1 is electrically connected to a wiring substrateF. Incidentally, the camera 1 does not need to be provided in the firstthrough hole TH1 but may be provided outside the space SP. In any way,the camera 1 needs only to be provided at a position overlaid on thefirst through hole TH1 in the third direction Z. In the embodiments, theexample of providing the camera 1 overlaid on the first through hole TH1has been described. However, the imaging device receiving the lightemitted through the first through hole TH1 and the optical system 2 andoutputting an electric signal may be overlaid on the first through holeTH1.

According to the embodiments, the camera 1 is overlaid on the displayportion DA of the liquid crystal panel PNL. For this reason, space toinstall the camera 1 in the non-display portion NDA does not need to beprovided. Therefore, the frame width of the non-display portion NDA canbe reduced as compared with a case where the camera 1 is overlaid on thenon-display portion NDA or a case where the camera 1 is not overlaid onthe display portion DA but the camera 1 and the liquid crystal panel PNLare arranged in the second direction Y.

In addition, since the camera 1 is not overlaid on the color filter CF,the light made incident on the camera 1 through the liquid crystal panelPNL is hardly influenced by the color filter CF. For this reason,undesired absorption and coloring by the color filter CF can besuppressed.

Incidentally, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 , the color filter CFis provided on the second substrate SUB2, but may be provided on thefirst substrate SUB1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the liquidcrystal panel PNL shown in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 3 , the liquid crystal layerLC and the sealant SE are represented by different oblique lines. Thedisplay portion DA is a substantially quadrangular region that does notinclude a notch part and is located in an inner side surrounded by thesealant SE.

In the display portion DA, the region A1 and the region A2 are arrangedin the second direction Y. As described with reference to FIG. 2 , theregion A1 is a region where the color filter CF is arranged, and theregion A2 is a region where the color filter CF is not arranged. Thatis, the region A2 is a monochromatic display region and corresponds to aregion where stepwise display from white (or transparent) display toblack display can be performed. That is, in the region A2, halftone(gray) display can also be performed. In contrast, the region A1corresponds to a region where color display can be performed. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 3 , the region A2 includes a region overlaidon the camera 1 and extends in the first direction X. Incidentally, theregion A2 may be the only region overlaid on the camera 1. In this case,the region A1 is extended to a region around the camera 1.

The liquid crystal panel PNL comprises pixels PX arrayed in a matrix inthe first direction X and the second direction Y, in the region A1 andthe region A2 of the display portion DA. First pixels PX1 included inthe region A1 are not overlaid on the camera 1. The region A2 includessecond pixels PX2 overlaid on the camera 1. Each of the pixels PX in thedisplay portion DA has the same circuit configuration.

Incidentally, in FIG. 3 , an outer shape of the camera 1 is representedby a dashed line, representing a second pixel PX2 overlaid on the camera1. Ideally, the second pixel PX2 is overlaid an optical system 2including the lens of the camera 1, and may include a pixel PX overlaidon the casing 4 of the camera 1 in planar view, in the second pixel PX2.

As shown and enlarged in FIG. 3 , each pixel PX comprises a switchingelement SW, a pixel electrode PE, a common electrode CE, a liquidcrystal layer LC and the like. The switching element SW is constitutedby, for example, a thin-film transistor (TFT) and is electricallyconnected to a scanning line G and a signal line S. The pixel electrodePE is electrically connected to the switching element SW. Each pixelelectrode PE is opposed to the common electrode CE, and drives theliquid crystal layer LC by an electric field produced between the pixelelectrode PE and the common electrode CE. A capacitor CS is formed, forexample, between an electrode with the same potential as the commonelectrode CE and an electrode with the same potential as the pixelelectrode PE.

A wiring substrate 5 is electrically connected to an extended part Ex ofthe first substrate SUB1. An IC chip 6 is electrically connected to thewiring substrate 5. Incidentally, the IC chip 6 may be electricallyconnected to the extended part Ex. The IC chip 6 incorporates, forexample, a display driver which outputs a signal necessary for imagedisplay, and the like. The wiring substrate 5 may be a foldable flexibleprinted circuit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal element LCDincluding a first pixel PX1 shown in FIG. 3 . The liquid crystal elementLCD comprising the liquid crystal panel PNL corresponding to the displaymode utilizing the lateral electric field between the first polarizerPL1 and the second polarizer PL2 will be described here.

The first substrate SUB1 comprises insulating films 11 and 12, a commonelectrode CE, and pixel electrodes PE between the first insulatingsubstrate 10 and the alignment film AL1. Incidentally, for example, thescanning line G, the signal line S, and the switching element SW shownin FIG. 3 are located between the first insulating substrate 10 and thecommon electrode CE. The common electrode CE is located on theinsulating film 11 and covered with the insulating film 12. The pixelelectrodes PE are located on the insulating film 12 and covered with thealignment film AL1. The pixel electrodes PE are opposed to the commonelectrode CE through the insulating film 12. The common electrode CE andthe pixel electrodes PE are formed of a transparent conductive materialsuch as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) or indium-zinc-oxide (IZO). Theinsulating film 11 is not described in detail, but includes an inorganicinsulating film and an organic insulating film. The insulating film 12is, for example, an inorganic insulating film of a silicon nitride orthe like.

In the second substrate SUB2, a light-shielding layer BMB is formedintegrally with the light-shielding layer BMA of the non-display portionNDA described with reference to FIG. 2 . The color filter CF includes ared colored filter CFR, a green colored filter CFG, and a blue coloredfilter CFB. The colored filter CFG is opposed to the pixel electrodesPE. The other colored filters CFR and CFB are also opposed to the otherpixel electrodes PE (not shown).

A driver DR for driving the liquid crystal element LCD includes, forexample, a scanning line drive circuit electrically connected to thescanning line G shown in FIG. 3 , and a signal line drive circuitelectrically connected to the signal line S.

The driver DR outputs a signal necessary for image display to each pixelPX of the display portion DA and controls the transmissivity of theliquid crystal element LCD. The transmissivity of the liquid crystalelement LCD is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of thevoltage applied to the liquid crystal layer LC.

For example, in the first pixel PX1, in an OFF state in which no voltageis applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, liquid crystal molecules LMcontained in the liquid crystal layer LC are subjected to initialalignment in a predetermined direction between the alignment films AL1and AL2. In such an OFF state, the light guided from the light sourcesEM shown in FIG. 1 to the first pixel PX1 is absorbed by the firstpolarizer PL1 and the second polarizer PL2. For this reason, the liquidcrystal element LCD displays black, in the first pixel PX1 in the OFFstate.

In contrast, in an ON state in which a voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer LC, the liquid crystal molecules LM are aligned in adirection different from the initial alignment direction by the electricfield formed between the pixel electrodes PE and the common electrodeCE, and the alignment direction is controlled by the electric field. Insuch an ON state, part of the light guided to the first pixel PX1 istransmitted through the first polarizer PL1 and the second polarizerPL2. For this reason, the liquid crystal element LCD displays the colorcorresponding to the color layer CF, in the first pixel PX1 in the ONstate.

The above example corresponds to so called a normally black mode ofdisplaying a black color in the OFF state, but a normally white mode ofdisplaying a black color in the ON state (i.e., displaying a white colorin the OFF state) may be applied.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal element LCDincluding a second pixel PX2 shown in FIG. 3 . The second pixel PX2 isdifferent from the first pixel PX1 shown in FIG. 4 with respect to afeature that the second substrate SUB2 does not comprise the colorfilter CF. That is, the transparent layer OC is in contact with thesecond insulating substrate 20 directly above the pixel electrodes PE.Incidentally, a transparent resin layer may be provided between thetransparent layer OC and the second insulating substrate 20 to adjustthe thickness of the transparent layer OC.

The transmissivity of the liquid crystal element LCD in the second pixelPX2 is controlled by the driver DR, similarly to the first pixel PX1.That is, in the second pixel PX2 in the OFF state in which no voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer LC, the liquid crystal element LCDhas the minimum transmissivity and displays a black color, similarly tothe first pixel PX1. That is, the liquid crystal element LCD exerts alight-shielding function in the pixel PX 2.

In contrast, in the ON state in which a voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer LC, part of the light guided to the second pixel PX2 istransmitted through the first polarizer PL1 and the second polarizerPL2. The liquid crystal element LCD displays a white color or becomestransparent, with the maximum transmissivity, in the second pixel PX2 inthe ON state. In addition, as described above, the liquid crystalelement LCD may be controlled to have a middle transmissivity betweenthe minimum transmissivity and the maximum transmissivity and maydisplay a gray color. That is, the liquid crystal element LCD exerts alight transmitting function in the second pixel PX2.

In the embodiments, the light-shielding layers BMB are formed in theregion A1 and the region A2. However, the width of the light-shieldinglayer BMB in the region A2 may be narrower than the width of thelight-shielding layer BMB in the region A1. Furthermore, thelight-shielding layer BMB may not be provided in the region A2. Thewidth of the light-shielding layer BMB may be reduced or thelight-shielding layer BMB may not be provided in the first direction Xor the second direction Y or both the first direction X and the seconddirection Y.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of controllingthe liquid crystal panel PNL. The electronic apparatus 100 comprises amain controller 110, a memory 120, an optical sensor 130, and a modeswitch 140 in addition to the camera 1 and the liquid crystal panel PNL.The memory 120 stores various data and various programs to control theelectronic apparatus 100. The optical sensor 130 measures ambientbrightness of the electronic apparatus 100 and outputs the measurementresult to the main controller 110. The optical sensor 130 is composedof, for example, a photoreceiver such as a photodiode or aphototransistor. For example, the optical sensor 130 is an illuminometerwhich measures illumination as brightness. The mode switch 140 is a userinterface operated by the user to accept input of settings in a desiredmode. The main controller 110 implements various functions by a programstored in the memory 120. For example, the main controller 110 controlsthe driver DR of the liquid crystal panel PNL, based on the measurementresult from the optical sensor 130 or input of the settings via the modeswitch 140.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the liquidcrystal element LCD overlaid on a camera 1. The liquid crystal elementLCD includes, for example, four regions A21 to A24 as regions overlaidon the camera 1. Each of the regions A21 to A23 is formed in an annularshape. The region A24 is formed in a substantially circular shape. Theregion A22 is adjacent to the inside of the region A21, the region A23is adjacent to the inside of the region A22, and the region A24 isadjacent to the inside of the region A23. Four regions A21 to A24 areformed substantially isotropically about the optical axis OX of thecamera 1. Incidentally, the liquid crystal element LCD may be dividedinto five or more regions or divided into three or less regions as theregions overlaid on the camera 1. In addition, a perfect circle is shownas the example of an annular shape. However, the shape may be a shapesuch as an ellipse other than a perfect circle. In addition, the regionsA21 to A23 are not limited to the annular shape. The regions A21 to A24may be a stripe shape or the like. For example, when capturing in thebacklight is performed, correction can be performed to some extent by acamera or image processing, but the region A21 of the present inventioncan be made to correspond to a shape of a region of the largestbacklight and the region A24 can be shaped in accordance with the shapeof the subject.

In addition, the liquid crystal element LCD includes a region A30surrounding the region A21 outside the camera 1. In these regions A21 toA24 and the region A30, the second pixels PX2 shown in FIG. 5 arearrayed in a matrix. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7 , forexample, at least one of the regions A21 to A23 corresponds to the firstregion, at least one of the regions A22 to A24 inside the first regioncorresponds to the second region, and the region A30 corresponds to thethird region.

As described with reference to FIG. 2 , the camera 1 is provided in thefirst through hole TH1 of the light guide LG, and any one of fourregions A21 to A24 is overlaid on the first through hole TH1. The regionA30 is overlaid on the light guide LG.

Such a liquid crystal element LCD can function as an aperture foradjusting the quantity of the light made incident on the camera 1 bytransmitting or blocking the light in each region. As the area of theregion where the light is transmitted is smaller, the light beam madeincident on the camera 1 is limited, an influence of the aberration inthe optical system 2 can be reduced, the sharpness can be improved, andthe depth of focus can be made larger. That is, the brightness,sharpness, depth of focus, and the like of a subject can be adjusted byadjusting the area of the region where the light is transmitted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a control example of the liquid crystalelement LCD shown in FIG. 7 .

(A) of FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustration of a first opening mode. Theliquid crystal element LCD in the first opening mode transmits lightthrough the regions A21 to A24. For example, each of the second pixelsPX2 in the regions A21 to A24 is in the ON state described withreference to FIG. 5 . However, the transmissivity in the second pixelPX2 does not need to be the maximum transmissivity and may be a middletransmissivity. Therefore, when the liquid crystal element LCD is set tothe first opening mode, the light transmitted through the regions A21 toA24 is received by the camera 1.

In the example illustrated, the second pixels PX2 in a region A30 are inthe OFF state and the liquid crystal element LCD blocks the light in theregion A30. However, the liquid crystal element LCD may transmit thelight through the region A30. In the figure, the second pixels PX2 wherethe light is transmitted are represented in white and the second pixelsPX2 where the light is block are represented in gray.

(B) of FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustration of a second opening mode.The liquid crystal element LCD in the second opening mode blocks thelight in the region A21 and transmits light through the regions A22 toA24. The second pixels PX2 of the region A21 are in the OFF state, andthe second pixels PX2 in each of the regions A22 to A24 are in the ONstate. In addition, the second pixels PX2 in the region A30 are also inthe OFF state and the light is blocked in the region A30. Therefore,when the liquid crystal element LCD is set to the second opening mode,the light transmitted through the regions A22 to A24 is received by thecamera 1.

When the first opening mode and the second opening mode are compared,the total number of second pixels PX2 transmitting the light, of thesecond pixels PX2 overlaid on the camera 1, is smaller in the secondopening mode than that in the first opening mode. In addition, the totalarea of the regions where the light is transmitted, of the regionsoverlaid on the camera 1, is smaller in the second opening mode thanthat in the first opening mode.

Incidentally, blocking the light in the region A21 in the second openingmode has been described. However, the quantity of light transmittedthrough the region A21 needs only to be smaller than the quantity oflight transmitted through the regions A22 to A24. In other words, thetransmissivity of the region A21 needs only to be set to be lower thanthe transmissivity of the regions A22 to A24.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD shown in FIG. 7 .

(A) of FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustration of a third opening mode. Theliquid crystal element LCD in the third opening mode blocks the light inthe regions A21 and A22 and transmits light through the regions A23 toA24. (B) of FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustration of a fourth openingmode. The liquid crystal element LCD in the fourth opening mode blocksthe light in the regions A21 to A23 and transmits light through theregion A24.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD of the embodiments. A control example in which themain controller 110 shown in FIG. 6 controls the above-described firstto fourth opening modes based on the measurement result of the opticalsensor 130 when capturing with the camera 1 is performed will bedescribed.

The main controller 110 determines whether the luminance of the externallight is level 1 or lower or not, based on the measurement result of theoptical sensor 130 (step ST1). When determining that the external lightis level 1 or lower (ST1, YES), the main controller 110 controls thedriver DR to implement the first opening mode shown in (A) of FIG. 8(step ST2). The liquid crystal panel PNL is driven by the driver DR, andthe liquid crystal element LCD transmits light through the regions A21to A24. For this reason, more light can be taken in the camera 1 even ata dark place where the luminance is determined to be level 1 or lower.

When determining that the external light is higher than level 1 (ST1,NO), the main controller 110 determines whether the luminance is level 2or lower or not (step ST3). Similarly, when determining that theexternal light is level 2 or lower (ST3, YES), the main controller 110controls to implement the second opening mode shown in (B) of FIG. 8(step ST4). In addition, when determining that the external light islevel 3 or lower (ST5, YES), the main controller 110 controls toimplement the third opening mode shown in (A) of FIG. 9 (step ST6). Whendetermining that the external light is higher than level 3 (ST5, NO),the main controller 110 controls to implement the fourth opening modeshown in (B) of FIG. 9 (step ST7). Thus, the quantity of light taken inthe camera 1 can be arbitrarily adjusted in accordance with theluminance at a bright place where the luminance is determined to behigher than level 1.

Thus, according to the embodiments, the quantity of light taken in thecamera 1 can be adjusted in accordance with the ambient luminance andsharp pictures can be captured at a bright place or a dark place, by theliquid crystal element LCD overlaid on the camera 1.

Incidentally, the example of controlling the opening mode based on themeasurement result of the optical sensor 130 has been described in FIG.10 . However, the opening mode may be controlled based on the user'sinput of settings via the mode switch 140.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another configuration example of theliquid crystal element LCD overlaid on the camera 1. The liquid crystalelement LCD comprises, for example, three electrodes 51 to 53 in theregions overlaid on the camera 1. Each of the electrodes 51 to 53 is atransparent electrode formed in an annular shape. The electrode 52 isadjacent to the inside of the electrode 51, the electrode 53 is adjacentto the inside of the electrode 52, and the region A50 inside theelectrode 53 is formed in a substantially circular shape. Threeelectrodes 51 to 53 are formed substantially isotropically about theoptical axis OX of the camera 1. Incidentally, the liquid crystalelement LCD may comprise four or more transparent electrodes or two orless transparent electrodes in the regions overlaid on the camera 1.Each of the electrodes 51 to 53 and the region A50 is overlaid on thefirst through hole TH1.

Incidentally, FIG. 11 shows only three electrodes 51 to 53. However,pixels similar to the pixel PX shown in FIG. 3 are formed in regionsother than the electrodes 51 to 53 (pixels other than the electrodes 51to 53 are referred to as pixels PX). In addition, in the case of FIG. 11, the pixels PX included in the region A2 shown in FIG. 3 other than theelectrodes 51 to 53 may be pixels capable of color display.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element LCDshown in FIG. 11 . The first substrate SUB1 comprises the electrodes 51to 53 between the first insulating substrate 10 and the alignment filmAL1. Each of the electrodes 51 to 53 is electrically connected to thedriver DR via switching elements SW1 to SW3. The second substrate SUB2comprises the electrode 54 between the second insulating substrate 20and the alignment film AL2. The electrode 54 is a transparent electrodeand is opposed to each of the electrodes 51 to 53. The electrode 54 iselectrically connected to the driver DR. The liquid crystal layer LClocated between alignment films AL1 and AL2 comprises twist-alignedliquid crystal molecules LM in the OFF state in which no voltage isapplied. A state in which the driver DR applies an electric potentialdifferent from the electrode 54 to each of the electrodes 51 to 53 viathe switching elements SW1 to SW corresponds to the ON state in which avoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC. The liquid crystalmolecules LM are aligned substantially perpendicularity to the firstsubstrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, in the ON state.

A polarization axis AX1 of the first polarizer PL1 and a polarizationaxis of the second polarizer PL2 are orthogonal to each other.

Such a liquid crystal element LCD transmits light in the OFF state inwhich the voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer LC andblocks light in the ON state in which the voltage is applied to theliquid crystal layer LC. In addition, the liquid crystal element LCDtransmits light through the region A50 since the voltage is not appliedto the liquid crystal layer LC.

The electrodes 51 to 53 are larger than the transparent electrodes(pixel electrodes) of the pixels PX (ratio in area: several to tens oftimes). For this reason, when the switching elements SW1 to SW3 areconnected to the lines (i.e., the scanning line G and the signal line Sshown in FIG. 3 , etc.) which supply signals to the pixels PX, adifference in load on the driver DR (capacitance of the signal line) ismade between the signal lines connected to the electrodes 51 to 53 andthe signal lines which are not connected to the electrodes 51 to 53, ofthe signal lines connected to the driver DR. When the difference is madein the capacitance of the signal lines, inconvenience such as damage onuniformity of the display occurs. Thus, the inconvenience occurring dueto the difference in capacitance of the signal lines can be avoided byforming lines connected to the switching elements SW1 to SW3 in an outerperipheral area of the display region other than the signals whichsupply the signals to the pixels PX, as shown in FIG. 12 .

In addition, the switching elements SW1 to SW3 are formed in thenon-display portion NDA outside the display portion DA as shown in FIG.12 so as not to block the light incident on the camera 1. Incidentally,the switching elements SW1 to SW3 can be formed not in the non-displayportion NDA, but at positions overlaid on the camera 1 or at the displayportion DA. To reduce the blocked light, however, the switching elementsSW1 to SW3 are formed at a lower density than the switching elements SWformed in the pixels PX. Incidentally, since the electrodes 51 to 53 arelarger than the pixel electrodes of the pixels PX, the switchingelements SW1 to SW3 may be formed to be larger (longer in channel width)than the switching elements SW.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a control example of the liquid crystalelement LCD shown in FIG. 11 .

(A) of FIG. 13 is a diagram for illustration of a first opening mode.The liquid crystal element LCD in the first opening mode transmits lightthrough the regions overlaid on the electrodes 51 to 53 and the regionA50. For example, the voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layerLC shown in FIG. 12 in the regions overlaid on the electrodes 51 to 53and the region A50. Therefore, when the liquid crystal element LCD isset to the first opening mode, the light transmitted through theelectrodes 51 to 53 and the region A50 is received by the camera 1.

(B) of FIG. 13 is a diagram for illustration of a second opening mode.The liquid crystal element LCD in the second opening mode blocks thelight in the region overlaid on the electrode 51 and transmits lightthrough the regions overlaid on the electrodes 52 and 53 and the regionA50. In the region overlaid on the electrode 51, the voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer LC. Therefore, when the liquid crystalelement LCD is set to the second opening mode, the light transmittedthrough the electrodes 52 and 53 and the region A50 is received by thecamera 1.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing another control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD shown in FIG. 11 .

(A) of FIG. 14 is a diagram for illustration of a third opening mode.The liquid crystal element LCD in the third opening mode blocks thelight in the regions overlaid on the electrodes 51 and 52 and transmitslight through the region overlaid on the electrode 53 and the region 50.(B) of FIG. 14 is a diagram for illustration of a fourth opening mode.The liquid crystal element LCD in the fourth opening mode blocks lightin the regions overlaid on the electrodes 51 to 53 and transmits lightthrough the region A50.

The control example described with reference to FIG. 10 can also beapplied to such a configuration example. In addition, the opening modemay be controlled based on the user's input of settings via the modeswitch 140. Therefore, the same advantages as those of the aboveconfiguration example can be obtained.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing display examples of patterns displayedoutside the camera 1 in the liquid crystal element LCD of theembodiments. Various patterns described here are displayed in, forexample, the region A30 shown in FIG. 7 .

(A) of FIG. 15 shows a first pattern PT1 displayed to correspond to thefirst opening mode. (B) of FIG. 15 shows a second pattern PT2 displayedto correspond to the second opening mode. (C) of FIG. 15 shows a thirdpattern PT3 displayed to correspond to the third opening mode. (D) ofFIG. 15 shows a fourth pattern PT4 displayed to correspond to the fourthopening mode. Each of the first to fourth patterns PT1 to PT4 is anannular pattern. In the example illustrated, each of the first to fourthpatterns PT1 to PT4 is displayed by a plurality of blades surroundingthe camera 1. However, the pattern is not limited to this, but may bedisplayed by an annular pattern of a simple doughnut, a spiral annularpattern, or the other pattern.

Opening patterns AP1 to AP4 are displayed inside the first to fourthpatterns PT1 to PT4, respectively. The opening patterns AP1 to AP4 maybe displayed as circular patterns or polygonal patterns. The area of theopening pattern AP2 is smaller than the area of the opening pattern AP1.The area of the opening pattern AP3 is smaller than the area of theopening pattern AP2. The area of the opening pattern AP4 is smaller thanthe area of the opening pattern AP3.

The first pattern PT1 is displayed as gradation different on its insideand outside. For example, the first pattern PT1 is displayed in black orgray. The outside of the first pattern PT1 is displayed in white. Theopening pattern AP1 inside the first pattern PT1 is displayed in white.The other second to fourth patterns PT2 to PT4 are also displayed in thesame manner as the first pattern PT1.

Incidentally, four annular patterns are shown in the figure. However,the patterns are not limited to the mode of displaying these fourannular patterns in stages, but a display mode of sequentially varyingthe area of the opening pattern may be applied.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the control example of the liquidcrystal element LCD of the embodiments.

When determining that the external light is level 1 or lower based onthe measurement result of the optical sensor 130 (ST11, YES), the maincontroller 110 controls to implement the first opening mode shown in (A)of FIG. 8 (step ST12) and controls to display the first pattern PT1 andthe opening pattern AP1 shown in (A) of FIG. 15 (step ST13).

When determining that the external light is level 2 or lower (ST14,YES), the main controller 110 controls to implement the second openingmode shown in (B) of FIG. 8 (step ST15) and controls to display thesecond pattern PT2 and the opening pattern AP2 shown in (B) of FIG. 15(step ST16).

When determining that the external light is level 3 or lower (ST17,YES), the main controller 110 controls to implement the third openingmode shown in (A) of FIG. 9 (step ST18) and controls to display thethird pattern PT3 and the opening pattern AP3 shown in (C) of FIG. 15(step ST19).

When determining that the external light is higher than level 3 (ST17,NO), the main controller 110 controls to implement the fourth openingmode shown in (B) of FIG. 9 (step ST20) and controls to display thefourth pattern PT4 and the opening pattern AP4 shown in (D) of FIG. 15(step ST21).

According to the embodiments, it is possible to visually notify the userof the set opening mode when the opening mode is automaticallycontrolled based on the luminance measured by the optical sensor 130. Inparticular, in the electronic apparatus 100 in which the small camera 1is mounted, the area of the liquid crystal element LCD overlaid on thecamera 1 is small and the set opening mode may hardly be visuallyrecognized directly. In this case, the user can easily recognize theopening mode by displaying the pattern corresponding to the opening modeoutside a region overlaid on the camera 1.

In addition, even when the user selects the opening mode via the modeswitch 140, the same advantages can be obtained by displaying thepattern corresponding to the opening mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of the display device DSPaccording to the embodiments.

(A) of FIG. 17 corresponds to a display example in the capturing mode ofcapturing with the camera 1. The capturing mode is, for example, a modein which the user of the electronic apparatus 100 captureshimself/herself as a subject. In the region A2 of the display portionDA, a region overlaid on the camera 1 is set to, for example, any one ofthe opening modes shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , an annular pattern PTcorresponding to the opening mode is displayed outside the camera 1, andthe opening pattern AP is displayed inside the annular pattern PT. Theannular pattern PT is subjected to, for example, monochromatic display.In contrast, the subject captured by the camera 1 is displayed in theregion A1 of the display portion DA.

(B) of FIG. 17 corresponds to a display example in a case where thecamera 1 is not used. Characters such as numbers, letters, symbols, andmarks are displayed as monochromatic display in the region A2. Inaddition, the characters can also be displayed at positions overlaid onthe camera 1. In the region A1, still images, moving images and the likeare displayed as color display besides the home screen as shown in thedrawing.

In addition, in the above embodiments, the example of using whitelight-emitting diodes (LED) as the light sources EM has been described.However, light-emitting diodes (LED) of different colors such as red,blue and green colors may be arranged and used. In addition, in thiscase, so called a field sequential system of sequentially making thelight-emitting diodes (LED) of the respective colors illuminate,sequentially changing the respective color display, and therebyimplementing color display, can also be employed. Thus, the colordisplay can be implemented in both the region A1 and the region A2 ofthe display portion DA without arranging the color filter CF in both theregions. In addition, the color filter CF may be arranged in the regionA1 while the color filter CF may not be arranged in the region A2, andthe color display may be implemented by employing the field sequentialsystem in the region A2. For this reason, an annular pattern PT can besubjected to color display without arranging the color filter CF in theregion A2.

As described above, according to the embodiments, a display device witha frame capable of being narrowed, an electronic apparatus incorporatingthe display device, and a program can be provided. In addition, anelectronic apparatus capable of capturing sharp pictures can beprovided.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a camera; afirst polarizer; a second polarizer; a liquid crystal panel locatedbetween the first polarizer and the second polarizer; and a controllercontrolling the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel includinga first region and a second region which are overlaid on the camera, thecontroller controlling a first opening mode of transmitting lightthrough the first region and the second region, and a second openingmode of making a quantity of light transmitted through the first regionsmaller than a quantity of light transmitted through the second region.2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an opticalsensor measuring luminance, wherein the controller selects the firstopening mode or the second opening mode, based on the measurement resultof the optical sensor.
 3. The electronic apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe liquid crystal panel includes a third region surrounding the firstregion outside the camera, the controller controls the liquid crystalpanel to display an annular first pattern in the third regioncorresponding to the first opening mode and to display an annular secondpattern in the third region corresponding to the second opening mode,and area of an opening pattern displayed inside the second pattern issmaller than area of an opening pattern displayed inside the firstpattern.
 4. The electronic apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: alight guide having a side surface and a main surface opposed to theliquid crystal panel; and a light source opposed to the side surface,wherein the third region is overlaid on the light guide.
 5. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the light guide includes afirst through hole, and the first region and the second region areoverlaid on the first through hole.
 6. The electronic apparatus of claim5, wherein the camera is provided in the first through hole.
 7. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: an optical sheetlocated between the light guide and the liquid crystal panel, whereinthe optical sheet includes a second through hole overlaid on the firstthrough hole.
 8. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a reflective sheet, wherein the light guide is locatedbetween the reflective sheet and the optical sheet, and the reflectivesheet includes a third through hole overlaid on the first through hole.9. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: an opticalsheet located between the light guide and the liquid crystal panel,wherein the optical sheet includes a second through hole overlaid on thefirst through hole.
 10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: a reflective sheet, wherein the light guide is locatedbetween the reflective sheet and the optical sheet, and the reflectivesheet includes a third through hole overlaid on the first through hole.11. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystalpanel includes a third region surrounding the first region outside thecamera, the controller controls the liquid crystal panel to display anannular first pattern in the third region corresponding to the firstopening mode and to display an annular second pattern in the thirdregion corresponding to the second opening mode, and area of an openingpattern displayed inside the second pattern is smaller than area of anopening pattern displayed inside the first pattern.
 12. The electronicapparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a light guide having a sidesurface and a main surface opposed to the liquid crystal panel; and alight source opposed to the side surface, wherein the third region isoverlaid on the light guide.
 13. The electronic apparatus of claim 12,wherein the light guide includes a first through hole, and the firstregion and the second region are overlaid on the first through hole. 14.The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the camera is provided inthe first through hole.
 15. A display device arranged in front of acamera, comprising: a first polarizer; a second polarizer; and a liquidcrystal panel located between the first polarizer and the secondpolarizer, the liquid crystal panel including a first region and asecond region which are overlaid on the camera, transmitting lightthrough the first region and the second region in a first opening mode,and making a quantity of the light transmitted through in the firstregion smaller than a quantity of the light transmitted through thesecond region in a second opening mode.
 16. The display device of claim15, wherein the liquid crystal panel includes a third region surroundingthe first region outside the camera, displays an annular first patternin the third region in the first opening mode, and displays an annularsecond pattern in the third region in the second opening mode, and areaof an opening pattern displayed inside the second pattern is smallerthan area of an opening pattern displayed inside the first pattern.